KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Their jobs put them on the front lines of danger and often times tragedy. Through the ValorRecovery Program (VRP), veterans, first responders and active duty military members are facing their fears in a healthy way.
Kansas City, Kansas has dealt with officer shootings before. Two KCK officers were shot and killed within less than three months in 2016.
"It's tough. It brings back a lot of memories, a lot of triggers that you wouldn't think about normally," said KCK Police Chief Terry Zeigler.
Captain Robert Melton was killed while searching for a suspect in a drive-by shooting. Melton was part of the Police Honor Guard for Detective Brad Lancaster, who was shot and killed earlier in the year.
Now, the community is mourning the loss of Wyandotte County Sheriff's Deputies Theresa King, 44, and Patrick Rohrer, 35.
"Hearts go out to them and pray that the good Lord will comfort them through it. It's not gonna be easy on Thursday," said Zeigler.
In difficult times, first responders need healing.
"Even the people who weren't on that call, even the officers that are alive, they may be traumatized because it's one more insert of realism into their every day," said David Strother, the Valor Recovery Program Director.
Strother is a Marine veteran. He was also a Lee's Summit firefighter for five years. Now, Strother is a therapist and opened the Valor Recovery Program in Kansas City, a 28-day inpatient program.
Wednesday, the VRP, located inside the Signature Psychiatric Hospital in North Kansas City, opened its doors to the public.
VRP focuses on helping military and service members battling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), trauma and addictions.
Throughout the program, VRP staff assist individuals in processing traumatic events, teach coping skills, educate about trauma and addictions, build resiliency, and provide knowledge and skills on how to maintain sobriety.
The VRP phone is answered and monitored 24/7. Call 913-228-5973 if you are interested in joining the program.
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